'Petite Elite' Newsletter - Create a Website that Sells -

In this issue

Create a website that SELLS

Tax reminder

Quote of the month

GOOD KARMA ADVERTISING - help yourself while helping others

Welcome to the "Create a website that sells" issue of 'Petite Elite'

Hi there, and welcome to the June issue of Petite Elite.

Over the past few weeks, I have noticed a trend in our projects...most of the work we have been doing lately is writing content for websites and other business communications. I have noticed too, that some of our business contacts have been asking for hints on how to write effective web content and others have simply commented on how they find our website so clear and easy to navigate. So, how could I resist exploring "create a website that sells" as my newsletter topic this month?!

Again, I just want to thank those who have forwarded on their feedback on our newsletters. In particular, Nathan from Customer Care International reminded me, following last month's 'top-of-mind' newsletter, that a great way to stay 'top of mind' with your clients is simply to call them at the completion of the job and have an informal chat about their experience of working with you. This creates a basis for a great working relationship and may generate positive word-of-mouth for your business. Thanks Nathan for reminding us about this simple and effective way to improve working relationships.

So now, lets get started on helping you create a website that SELLS.

Design a clean, clear website that SELLS in 6 easy steps

Like you, I am a busy business person, and when I search websites for information, I want each site to be fast, easy to read and easy to navigate. Websites are a made up of a combination of a few main attributes; design, images and content. Although each component is vitally important, you need to make sure that these three components complement each other to create a website that is effective. Here are some simple steps to ensure that your website is working for your business.

STEP 1: DON'T: REINVENT THE WHEEL

When I go to a website and the buttons are not where they are meant to be, or I can't find a company's contact details, I get really frustrated and it doesn't take me long to move onto a simpler website to get the information I need. I know that you want your website to express your individuality, but making your website confusing for your audience is not the way to go about it. I would recommend that you keep to the standard web design formula and instead, write innovative content and use creative images to make a great impression.

STEP 2: DON'T: USE TOO MUCH FLASH (ANIMATED) CONTENT

A slow loading website is annoying I'm sure you'll agree. Animated and flash items may look good, but keep in mind that this type of content may cause your website to load slowly on some machines. My advice? Use stock images instead - they are attractive and professional and they can be made into small files which load almost instantaneously. istockphoto.com is a great place to start your search for great stock images.

STEP 3: DO: KEEP YOUR CONTENT SHORT

Get to the point and keep your message short and sweet. If you have a block of text, try to divide it into short paragraphs to make it less daunting to look at and easier to read.

STEP 4: DO: USE BULLET POINTS & HEADINGS

Grab your audience's attention with headlines and bullet points. People don't read websites like they do printed materials. We tend to scan websites to find what is relevant or important to us, rather than read every word.

STEP 5: DO: PROOFREAD BEFORE GOING LIVE

I can't say this enough...CHECK YOUR SPELLING AND GRAMMAR before going live with your website. I can't tell you how many websites and other marketing materials I see with really obvious spelling mistakes in them. And let me tell you, there is nothing more off-putting than a business who can't even get the spelling correct on important marketing materials. It is VITALLY important that you get the little things right. Get someone else to check it or better still, pay a professional to do it for you.

STEP 6: DO: TELL YOUR VISITORS WHERE TO GO!

You should be telling people what they need to do next on every web page! For example, "Email us today for a special deal on web content!" or "Click here for your nearest store" or perhaps, "Click here for a free assessment of your financial health". Make it simple and make it obvious! If you don't tell them where to go, they may go somewhere else!

Don't forget - tax time is coming

Just a reminder to start getting your tax receipts and statements ready for your accountant - the 30th of June is right around the corner!

And if you haven't submitted your tax return for 2007/2008 yet, you only have until the end of June to do so if you want to receive your government stimulus payment.

It might also be worth looking into the government's small business tax incentive to see if you are eligible to receive an additional tax deduction of 50% of the cost of eligible new tangible depreciating assets purchased before the end of June 2009 (for businesses with less than $2 million turnover). Go to the ATO website for more information.

Quote of the month

"Philosophy teaches a man that he can't take it with him; taxes teach him he can't leave it behind either." Mignon McLaughlin, The Second Neurotic's Notebook, 1966

So, good luck with tax time everyone, and if you want any help with proofreading, editing or creating website content, please don't hesitate to give me a call.

Bye for now,

View previous issues of Petite Elite: April 2009: GET ORGANISED | May 2009: STAY TOP OF MIND WITH YOUR CLIENTS

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